Mail-stamp



No. 62|,383. Patented Mar. 2|, I899. T. STOKES.

MAIL STAMP (Application filed (hm. 5, 189

(No Model.)

4 TTOHNE Y8.

f therein, may be readily replaced.

NrrnrArns ATENr Prion.

THOMAS H. STOKES, OF LINCOLN, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-STAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,383, dated March 21, 1899.

Application filed January 5, 1 89 8.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. STOKES, Of Lincoln, in the county of Logan and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Mail-Stamp, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in stamps, especially those used for cancellation of mail; and it consists of certain constructions which will be hereinafter described and claimed. Y

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation taken at rightangles to that of Fig. 1. Fig, 3 is a bottom plan View of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the under or swinging block carrying the type, taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the stamp with the under or type-carryin g block swung at right angles to the upper or base block. Fig. 7 is an elevation showing a modified form of construction in which a single stamp is used, and Fig. 8 is a bottom plan View of the same.

My stamp comprises the usual handle A, which is to be grasped by the hand. To the lower end of this handle is attached a baseblock B, and pivoted to the block B is the stamp or type holding block 0. These two blocks are pivoted to each other by a pivot I), located at one end of theblocks and perpendicular to their contact-surfaces. This permits the lower or type-holding block to swing to one side into the position shown in Fig. 0, so that the type f, which are inserted in slots As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, this stamp is constructed as a double stamp-that is, one portion 0, which contains the removable type and which prints the name of the office with the date and similar matter, and the other portion H, designed for cancellation of the stamp upon the envelop. These two parts are held in their normal position by means of a spring-catch D, which consists of a lever pivoted at e to one end of the baseblock 13 and lying within grooves or slots in the ends of both the base-block and stamp- Scrial N0! 665,603. (No model.)

block. The lower end of the catchD is preferably made as shown in Fig. 2-that is, with an enlarged rounded end-and the slot in the stamp-block C is formed so as to make a close fit for the same. In consequence of this con struction the two parts will be firmly locked together. The upper end d of the catch D is rounded, forming a convenient surface for manipulation when it is desired to release the catch from the stamp-block O.

The stamp, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, is constructed exactly like that described, excepting that the stamp-canceling portion H of the device is omitted. The pivot 19, which connects the two parts, passes through lugs H, attached to each of the blocks. The catch D in both forms of construction is held in locked position by means of the spring E,

which is bent into the form shown in Fig.

The upper portion of this spring is doubled upon itself, so that one arm lies close alongside of the stem of the base-block B. The upper end is inserted beneath the ferrule a, which'surrounds the lower end of the handle Aand the stem of the base-block. It is thus held in place, so that it cannot be readily removed. The other member of the spring E is curved, so as to locate its extremity below a shoulder or in a notch in the body of the catch D.

By reason of the mannerin which the stampblock is pivoted it maybe swung to one side, so that the removable type may be readily removed and replaced in said block. When swung into operative position, it is also firmly locked to the base-block and is rigid therewith.

Although I have herein described my device as a mail-stamp, it is evident that it may be used as a stamp for any purpose and use any kind of letters commonly used for such purpose. The form shown in Fig. 7 would be used when a small single stamp is wanted.

and block substantially at right angles, the stamp holding block being provided with means for securing removable stamps therein.

2. A stamp, comprising base and stampholding blocks joined by a pivot which is perpendicular to their contact-faces, the stampholding block having recesses extending through the same and adapted to hold removable stamps or letters, and a spring-catch mounted upon one of the blocks and engaging the other, to hold the two together, substantially as described.

3. A stamp, comprising base and stampholding blocks, the former having a handle attached thereto and the latter having recesses extending through the same and adapted to hold removable stamps or letters, a pivot joining the two blocks and perpendicular to their contact-faces, said blocks having registrable notches in their edges, and a springpressed bar pivoted on one block and adapted to enter said notches, substantially asdescribed.

THOMAS H. STOKES.

Witnesses:

C. EVERETT SMITH, FREDERIC M. I'IOBLIT. 

